Soviet USSR Russian 916 Silver Gilt Cloisonne Enamel Tea Cup Saucer Spoon Set

  

Up for sale in this ad we have a RARE Complete 3-Piece Soviet Russian. 916 Fine Silver-Gilt Cloisonne Enamel Tea Set (Teacup, Matching Saucer, and Matching Spoon)! An extraordinary investment-grade offering for the discriminating collector of Russian silversmithing and Soviet enamel art. Unlike the vast majority of surviving mid-century enamelware that has been separated, lost, or broken over the decades, this offering represents an authentic, 100% complete three-piece matching set crafted together in the exact same production batch at the renowned Leningrad Jewelry Factory.

Officially hallmarked with the Soviet post-1958 state assay seal depicting the five-pointed star with hammer and sickle emblem, alongside the highly coveted. While general Soviet domestic hollowware and tableware were typically produced in standard. 916 fine silver standard was strictly reserved by state master craftsmen for elite cloisonne and champleve enamel creations. This higher purity was required to withstand the intense kiln temperatures necessary for firing vitreous glass enamel without warping or distorting the underlying silver structure. Each piece clearly bears the official Cyrillic factory cypher LU (??), authenticating its origin at the world-famous Leningrad Jewelry Factory (Leningradskaya Yuvelirnaya Fabrika / Russian Gems), widely recognized by silver scholars and museum curators as the absolute pinnacle of Soviet enamel art manufacturing.

Offered in completely original, unpolished vintage condition, this set exhibits a gorgeous, natural age-earned patina featuring deep iridescent tones, dark navy oxidation accents, and warm golden tarnish highlights around the filigree borders. This set has not been scrubbed or cleaned and maintains a nice, natural patina. Antique silver experts and serious investors strongly prefer untouched original patina, as harsh chemicals or mechanical polishing permanently destroy historical surfaces and diminish collector value. The enamelwork itself is executed in master-level polychrome (multi-color) cloisonne, featuring an intricate floral motif realized in rich hand-applied glass enamels.

The palette includes vibrant cobalt blue, soft sky blue, turquoise, spring green, and delicate golden-yellow accents, requiring painstaking, multi-stage kiln firings at exact temperatures. Adding immense value and completeness to this offering is the rare matching 7-inch serving spoon, decorated with matching floral cloisonne along the handle and finished with a rich gold-washed spoon bowl. The entire set is lavishly finished in heavy 24k gold vermeil (silver-gilt) wash across the teacup interior, saucer well, and spoon bowl. This rich gilding was both a functional necessity-protecting the pure silver from reacting with acidic hot tea-and an aesthetic luxury that creates a breathtaking two-tone contrast against the vivid enamel work. Encircling the upper rim of the teacup and the outer border of the saucer is an advanced raised white enamel beaded border (drop enamel), an intricate filigree technique that creates tactile depth, raised texture, and distinct visual framing.

Officially crafted in 1958 under the Soviet state assay system, this set represents the pinnacle of mid-century Cold War era Soviet artistic metalwork before modern mass production took over! The set has a pristine climate-controlled storage history, having been continuously kept in air-conditioned storage since its original acquisition in Russia, ensuring the delicate glass enamel was never subjected to severe humidity fluctuations or environmental stress.

As a result, the enamel remains in exceptional condition across all three pieces, completely free of severe chips, cracks, or enamel loss, preserving full color clarity and brilliant luster. Generously proportioned for impressive display presentation, the saucer measures 4.25 inches in diameter, the matching spoon measures a long 7 inches in length, and the teacup stands 2 inches tall. Every hallmark on all three pieces adheres strictly to verified USSR state assay regulations, offering absolute peace of mind and complete authentication. The floral design is framed in delicate, hand-twisted silver filigree wirework, forming intricate compartments that hold the vitreous enamel before firing. The underside of the saucer pedestal features an intact protective felt base plate, allowing the set to be safely displayed on fine wood tables, glass cases, or polished surfaces without risk of scratching. Beyond its immense historical and artistic appeal, fine Soviet silver enamel from premier factories like Leningrad represents a solid, tangible, investment-grade asset that consistently holds and appreciates in value over time!